South Australian police will begin wearing stab and bulletproof vests, in a trial aimed at offering them better protection from violent attacks.
It follows recent graphic examples of officers being confronted by offenders armed with knives.
From Saturday, officers will trial seven different protective vests that are not only bulletproof but protect against weapons like knives, screw-drivers and metal bars.
But the Police Association says the new vests have taken too long to arrive.
“We have procrastinated in this state for way too long this is an important safety feature that should have been rolled out two years ago,” President of the Police Association, Mark Carroll said.
But South Australia Police says the new vests are better.
“The NSW vests were purchased some years ago and the technology has advanced beyond that so we’re actually looking at what’s currently in the marketplace not what used to be in the marketplace,” Mr Carroll said.
The various ballistic vests will be tested by officers for just over two months with SA Police to then decide which vest becomes part of its regular uniform.
